Free Soil Party (Noun)
Meaning
A former political party in the United States; formed in 1848 to oppose the extension of slavery into the territories; merged with the Liberty Party in 1848.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Free Soil Party was a significant force in the mid-19th century, advocating for the restriction of slavery in new territories and states.
- The party's platform was centered around the idea of free soil, which held that the government should provide land to settlers without the burden of slavery.
- In 1848, the Free Soil Party merged with the Liberty Party, another abolitionist group, to form a stronger coalition against slavery.
- The Free Soil Party's most notable presidential candidate was Martin Van Buren, who ran on the party's ticket in the 1848 election.
- Although the Free Soil Party dissolved shortly after its formation, its ideals and principles continued to influence the abolitionist movement in the United States.